TOUCHING TRIBUTE MADE BY HALESOWEN HOMEBUILDER AND MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE FOR BELOVED COLLEAGUE

Barratt Homes West Midlands recently teamed up with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to leave a lasting legacy in memory of its former Managing Director, Adrian Farr, who sadly passed away in April 2020.

Well-respected and widely-admired by those that knew him, “Ade” was a huge admirer of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and, in honour of his memory, his name has been placed on the pre-hospital emergency service’s critical care car based at its Strensham airbase, in Worcestershire. Ade’s name will remain on the car for two years.

The unveiling of the tribute on the charity’s critical care car was held outside Barratt Homes’ Halesowen-based head office, and was attended by Ade’s family, friends and colleagues. Due to the pandemic, this is the first opportunity for people to get together to celebrate the life of a man held in such high esteem.

Jayne Farr, Adrian’s wife, said: “As a family we would like to thank all of Ade’s friends, family, work colleagues and sub-contractors for their kind donations, as without their generosity this would not have been possible.

“Ade would be honoured to have his name placed on to such a vital and lifesaving vehicle for the community. It is touching to know that from such a sad loss, that this wonderful and worthwhile charity has benefited.”

A critical care car costs Midlands Air Ambulance Charity approximately £65,000 per year to run, with each car mission costing an average of £288.

The commitment of employees at Barratt Homes has led to over £50,000 being raised to help make lifesaving missions possible for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and also allowed for the loving message to be added to the car. The housebuilder has pledged that its employees will do their utmost to raise a further £15,000 by the end of 2022.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity covers six Midlands counties, including the West Midlands. The pre-hospital emergency service is responsible for the operation and provision of three air ambulance helicopters and two critical care cars. Since its beginnings in 1991, the charity has responded to in excess of 67,000 missions.

Jayne continued: “It has been a very difficult time for the family, coming to terms with the sudden loss of Ade. However, we would like to thank Barratt Homes for continuing to support the charity, which was a cause so close to his heart.

“Ade touched so many hearts in his lifetime, we hope that this vehicle allows many hearts to continue to beat, long into the future.”

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity requires in excess of £10 million per year to maintain its three helicopters, two critical care cars and three rapid response vehicles and the enhanced lifesaving equipment and medication available on-board.

Adrian Evans, Managing Director at Barratt Homes West Midlands, said: “Immediately after stepping into my role as Managing Director, I understood how much Ade meant to all of his colleagues here at Barratt Homes.

“Everyone admired him and he was always at the heart of the company, enormously respected, valued and indeed loved by all who knew him. His passing was a great loss, but we’re pleased to have worked with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to honour his memory.”

Jon Cottrell, senior partnerships executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “It’s thanks to the local businesses within the counties we serve and their generous donations that we are able to continue attending some of the most critically ill and injured patients.

“On behalf of all at the charity, we would like to offer our sincere condolences to Adrian Farr’s family, friends and colleagues. He was a great supporter of our charity for several years and we were pleased to offer this fitting tribute to our critical care car in his memory.”